Determining biometric data using an array of infrared illuminators

ABSTRACT

Methods, devices, and systems related to determining biometric data using an array of infrared (IR) illuminators are described. In an example, a method can include projecting a number of IR dots on a user using a dot projector and an array of IR illuminators, capturing an IR image of the number of IR dots using an IR camera, comparing a number of pixels of the captured IR image to a number of corresponding pixels of a baseline IR image using a processing resource, and determining biometric data of the user at least partially based on comparing the captured IR image to the baseline IR image using the processing resource.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/569,746, filed on Jan. 6, 2022, which is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/092,678, filed on Nov. 9, 2020, which issued asa U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,371 on Jan. 11, 2022, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an array of infrared (IR)illuminators, and more particularly, to methods, apparatuses, andsystems related to determining biometric data of a user using an arrayof IR illuminators.

BACKGROUND

An IR illuminator can be, for example, a device that emits IR light. IRis a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Wavelengths inthe IR region range from about 700 nanometers (NM) to 1 millimeter (mm).A dot projector can project IR light as a grid pattern. An IR camera,also known as a thermographic camera or thermal imaging camera, cancapture IR light and form a heat zone image using the IR light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus for determining biometricdata of a user in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus for determining biometricdata of a user in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an apparatus for determining biometricdata of a user in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for determining biometric data of auser in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes methods, apparatuses, and systemsrelated to determining biometric data using an array of IR illuminators.An example method includes projecting a number of IR dots on a userusing a dot projector and an array of IR illuminators, capturing an IRimage of the number of IR dots using an IR camera, comparing a number ofpixels of the captured IR image to a number of corresponding pixels of abaseline IR image using a processing resource, and determining biometricdata of the user at least partially based on comparing the captured IRimage to the baseline IR image using the processing resource. Thedetermined biometric data can include a user's heart rate, temperature,calorie burn rate (e.g., number of calories burned over a period oftime), physical state, and/or emotional state. The user's health (e.g.,physical state) can be determined based on a heat distribution (e.g.,intensity parameter per pixel) in the IR image of the user's face andthe user's athletic state (e.g., physical state) can be determined basedon a heat distribution in the IR image of the user's muscles. Forexample, a muscle being exercised will generate more heat than a musclenot being exercised. In some examples, the user's emotional state can beat least partially determined based on a user's posture, facialexpression, sounds, and/or gestures.

As used herein, a user can be one or more users. The IR image of theuser can include an entire body of a user or a portion of the body ofthe user. A portion of the body of the user can be a face, head, eye,ear, nose, leg, arm, or hand, for example.

The baseline IR image can also include an entire body or a portion of abody. The baseline IR image can be a neutral condition of the user, anaverage IR image of the user created by a number of previously taken IRimages of the user, or an IR image of an average person from a library,for example.

A single IR illuminator can emit IR light over an area and an array ofIR illuminators (e.g., a plurality of IR illuminators) can emit IR lightover a greater area. For example, where a single IR illuminator couldemit IR light over a user's face, an array of IR illuminators could emitIR light over a user's entire body. Covering a user's entire body withIR light can allow the IR camera to capture an IR image of the user'sentire body.

In a number of embodiments, a first portion of the number of IR dots canbe projected by the dot projector on a first portion of a user's bodyand a second portion of the number of IR dots can be projected by thedot projector on a second portion of the user's body. In some examples,the first portion of the number of IR dots can be a first diameter andthe second portion of the number of IR dots can be a second diameter. Adot diameter can be smaller when a dot is being projected on to aportion of the user's body where more detail in the IR image is desiredand a dot diameter can be larger when a dot is being projected on to aportion of the user's body where less detail in the IR image is desired.The dot projector may project dots with smaller diameters on to aportion of the user's body where the user's body has more changes incontour, color, and/or shape. For example, the dot projector may projectdots with smaller diameters on to a user's face and project dots withlarger diameters on to a user's torso. In some examples, decreasing anIR dot diameter allows more dots to be projected in an area, whichcreates a more detailed IR image of the user in that area.

As such, the number of IR dots the dot projector projects on a portionof a user's body can be dependent on where more detail in the IR imageis desired. The dot projector can project a first portion of the numberof the IR dots on a first portion of the user's body and project asecond portion of the number of the IR dots on a second portion of theuser's body, where the first portion of the number of the IR dots isgreater than the second portion of the number of IR dots. The dotprojector may project a greater number of the IR dots on a portion ofthe user's body where the user's body has more changes in contour,color, and/or shape. For example, the dot projector may project agreater number of IR dots on to an ear of the user than on to a chin ofthe user because the user's ear has more contours than the user's chin.

In a number of embodiments, an axicon or an array of axicons can be usedin conjunction with an array of IR illuminators, a dot projector, and/oran IR camera. An axicon is a cone shaped optical element with a circularaperture. The axicon can prevent light diffraction. An IR light candiffract and lose its intensity with distance. Placing an axicon infront of the dot projector will make the IR light diffraction free andallow the IR light to maintain its intensity over a greater distance. Insome examples, an apparatus including an array of IR illuminators, a dotprojector, an array of axicons, and an IR camera can project and capturean IR image of a number of IR dots at a greater distance away from theapparatus than an apparatus including the array of IR illuminators, thedot projection, and the IR camera without the array of axicons.

The IR camera can capture the IR light emitted by the array of IRilluminators and form an IR image (e.g., a heat zone image) using thenumber of IR dots. In a number of embodiments, a number of IR camerascan be used to capture a number of IR images. For example, each of thenumber of IR cameras can be located at different locations to capture IRimages of the user on different sides of the user and/or differentangles of the user.

As used herein, “a number of” something can refer to one or more of suchthings. For example, a number of computing devices can refer to one ormore computing devices. A “plurality” of something intends two or more.Additionally, designators such as “X” and “Y”, as used herein,particularly with respect to reference numerals in the drawings,indicates that a number of the particular feature so designated can beincluded with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and theremaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing.Similar elements or components between different figures may beidentified by the use of similar digits. For example, reference numeral102 may reference element “2” in FIG. 1 , and a similar element may bereferenced as 202 in FIG. 2 . In some instances, a plurality of similar,but functionally and/or structurally distinguishable, elements orcomponents in the same figure or in different figures may be referencedsequentially with the same element number (e.g., 104-1, 104-2, and 104-Xin FIG. 1 ). As will be appreciated, elements shown in the variousembodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as toprovide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. Inaddition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements providedin the figures are intended to illustrate various embodiments of thepresent disclosure and are not to be used in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus 110 for determiningbiometric data of a user 106 in accordance with a number of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The apparatus 110 can be, but is not limitedto, a television, a smart television, a gaming system, a piece offitness equipment, a smart mirror, a computing device, a personal laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a smart phone, a tablet, a wrist worndevice, a digital camera, and/or redundant combinations thereof. Theapparatus 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , can include an infraredilluminator 100, a dot projector 102, a number of axicons 104-1, 104-2,. . . , 104-X, and an IR camera 108.

Biometric data can include a user's heart rate, temperature, calorieburn rate, physical state, and/or emotional state, for example. Theuser's emotional state can be at least partially determined based on auser's posture, facial expression, sounds, and/or gestures.

One or more of the IR images can be used to determine a user's heartrate, temperature, calorie burn rate, posture, facial expression, and/orgestures. The one or more IR images can be created by projecting anumber of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y on a user 106 using a dotprojector 102 and an IR illuminator 100 and capturing an IR image of thenumber of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y using an IR camera 108.

The IR illuminator 100 can emit IR light. The IR illuminator 100 can bea single IR illuminator and/or an array of IR illuminators. Aspreviously described, an array of IR illuminators can emit IR light overa greater area than a single IR illuminator. For example, a single IRilluminator can emit IR light over a portion of a user's body and anarray of IR illuminators can emit IR light over a number of users.

The dot projector 102 utilizing the IR light emitted by the IRilluminator 100 can project the number of dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . ,105-Y directly on the user 106 and/or a number of users from the dotprojector 102 and/or from the dot projector 102 through the number ofaxicons 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-X6666. For example, a first portion ofthe number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can be projected bythe dot projector 102 on a first user and a second portion of the numberof IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can be projected by the dotprojector 102 on a second user.

In a number of embodiments, a first portion of the number of IR dots105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can be projected by the dot projector 102 ona first portion of the body of the user 106 and a second portion of thenumber of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can be projected by thedot projector 102 on a second portion of the body of the user 106. Forexample, the first portion of the number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . ., 105-Y can include IR dots 105-1 and 105-2 and the second portion ofthe number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can include IR dot105-Y.

The first portion of the number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Ycan be a first diameter and the second portion of the number of IR dots105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y can be a second diameter. In some examples,the diameter of an IR dot can be determined by the distance the IR lightis traveling from the IR projector 102. For example, the farther the IRlight travels, the larger the IR dot will be, as such, the IR projector102 can project a smaller IR dot when a user 106 is farther away and alarger IR dot when the user 106 is closer to the IR projector 102.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 , an IR dot diameter can be smaller when anIR dot is being projected on to a portion of the user's body where moredetail in the IR image is desired and an IR dot diameter can be largerwhen an IR dot is being projected on to a portion of the user's bodywhere less detail in the IR image is desired. The dot projector 102 mayproject dots with smaller diameters on to a portion of the user's bodywhere the user's body has more changes in contour, color, and/or shape.For example, the dot projector 102 may project IR dots with a smallerdiameter on to a user's face and project IR dots with a larger diameteron to a user's body (e.g., neck, shoulders, chest, torso, arms, and/orlegs, etc.). In some examples, decreasing an IR dot diameter allows moreIR dots to be projected in an area, which creates a more detailed IRimage of the user 106 in that area.

The number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y the dot projector 102projects on a portion of a user's body can be dependent on where moredetail in the IR image is desired. The dot projector 102 can project afirst portion of the number of the IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Yon a first portion of the user's body and project a second portion ofthe number of the IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y on a secondportion of the user's body. The dot projector 102 may project a greaternumber of the IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y on a portion of theuser's body where the user's body has more changes in contour, color,and/or shape. For example, the dot projector 102 may project a greaternumber of the IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y on to an ear of theuser 106 than on to a chin of the user 106 because the user's ear hasmore contours than the user's chin.

In a number of embodiments, an axicon 104 or an array of axicons 104-1,104-2, . . . , 104-X can be used in conjunction with an IR illuminator100, dot projector 102, and/or IR camera 108. An axicon 104 is a coneshaped optical element with a circular aperture. The axicon 104 canprevent light diffraction. An IR light can diffract and lose itsintensity with distance. Placing an axicon 104 in front of the dotprojector 102 will make the IR light diffraction free and allow the IRlight to maintain its intensity over a greater distance. In someexamples, an apparatus 110 including an IR illuminator 100, a dotprojector 102, an array of axicons 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-X, and anIR camera 108 can project and capture an image of a number of IR dots105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y at a greater distance away from theapparatus 110 than an apparatus without the array of axicons 104-1,104-2, . . . , 104-X.

The IR camera 108 can capture the IR light emitted by the IR illuminator100 and capture an IR image of the number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . ., 105-Y. In a number of embodiments, a number of IR cameras 108 can beused to capture the number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . . , 105-Y. Forexample, each of the number of IR cameras 108 can be located atdifferent locations to capture the number of IR dots 105-1, 105-2, . . ., 105-Y on different sides of the user 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 210 for determiningbiometric data of a user in accordance with a number of embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Apparatus 210 can correspond to apparatus 110 inFIG. 1 . The apparatus 210 can include an infrared illuminator 200, adot projector 202, and an IR camera 208. The infrared illuminator 200,the dot projector 202, and the IR camera 208 can correspond to theinfrared illuminator 100, the dot projector 102, and the IR camera 108,respectively in FIG. 1 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , apparatus 210 canfurther include a processing resource 212 and a memory 222.

The memory 222 can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed bythe processing resource 212 to perform various examples of the presentdisclosure. For example, the memory 222 can be a non-transitory computerreadable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computerprogram instructions) stored thereon that are executable by theprocessing resource 212 to produce an IR light via an IR illuminator,project a number of IR dots on a user via the dot projector using the IRlight produced by the IR illuminator, capture an IR image of the numberof IR dots via an IR camera, compare a number of pixels of the capturedIR image to a number of corresponding pixels of a baseline IR image, anddetermine biometric data of the user at least partially based oncomparing the captured IR image to the baseline IR image.

In a number of embodiments, one or more sensors, not illustrated in FIG.2 , can be included in the apparatus 210. For example, the apparatus 210can include a visible light camera to capture a visible light image. Acaptured visible light image can be used with the captured IR image todetermine biometric data of a user. For example, a captured visiblelight image can include a facial expression that can be used todetermine an emotional state of a user. However, facial expressions maymean different emotional states based on a person's geographicallocation, race, and/or culture. Accordingly, a captured IR image can beused in conjunction with a captured visible light image to determine atrue emotional state of a user.

The processing resource 212 can receive the one or more IR images fromthe IR camera 208 and/or from memory 222. In some examples, theprocessing resource 212 can combine an IR image from the IR camera 208with an IR image from the memory 222. For example, the IR image from theIR camera 208 can be less detailed than the IR image from memory 222because it was captured from a greater distance away from the user thanthe IR image from the memory 222. The processing device 212 can use theIR image from the memory 222 with the IR image from the IR camera 208 tocreate more accurate biometric data of the user.

In a number of embodiments, the memory 222 can store biometric data ofthe user. In some examples, the biometric data can be used when playingvideo games, watching a movie, watching instructional videos, and/orfitness videos.

The memory 222 can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. The memory 222 canalso be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g.,internal) memory. For example, the memory 222 can be random accessmemory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phasechange random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g.,electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/orcompact-disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, adigital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, and/or a magneticmedium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types ofmemory.

Further, although memory 222 is illustrated as being located withinapparatus 200, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited.For example, memory 222 can be located on an external apparatus (e.g.,enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over theInternet or another wired or wireless connection).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an apparatus 310 for determiningbiometric data of a user in accordance with a number of embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Apparatus 310 can correspond to apparatus 210 inFIG. 2 . The apparatus 310 can include an IR illuminator 300, a dotprojector 302, an axicon 304, an IR camera 308, a processing resource312, and a memory 322. The IR illuminator 300, the dot projector 302,the IR camera 308, the processing resource 312, and the memory 322 cancorrespond to the infrared illuminator 200, the dot projector 202, theIR camera 208, the processing resource 212, and the memory 222,respectively in FIG. 2 . The axicon 304 can correspond to the axicon 104in FIG. 1 . As illustrated in FIG. 3 , apparatus 310 can further includea user interface 314, an acoustic sensor 316, a proximity sensor 320, anAI accelerator 324, a speaker 328, and a light 329.

An AI accelerator 324 can include hardware, software, and/or firmwarethat is configured to perform operations (e.g., logic operations, amongother operations) associated with AI operations using one or more AImodels. An AI model can be stored in memory 322 and/or external to theapparatus 310. In a number of embodiments, an AI model can be trained onand/or external to the apparatus 310. Data from a user or sample datacan be used to train an AI model. In some examples, a number of heartrates, heart rate conditions (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude of aheart beat), temperatures, calorie burn rates, physical states and/oremotional states of a person with corresponding baseline IR images canbe used to train an AI model. For example, a baseline IR imageidentified as a person with an angry emotional state can be used totrain an AI model. The baseline IR image of an angry person will includemore heat generated by blood flow than an IR image of a relaxed person.For example, the baseline IR image of an angry person will include anumber of pixels within a particular color value range.

The AI accelerator 324 can include train parameters to train the AImodel. Train parameters can include intensity and luminancedistribution, intensity or heat profile at different wavelengths (e.g.,spectra), spatial distribution comparison on high-pass and/or low-passfiltered data, a difference between two IR images in Fourier domain,and/or feature extraction and classification.

Data from a captured IR image can be inputted into an AI model. The datacan include color values of each pixel of the captured IR image. Thecolor values of each of the number of pixels can be compared to colorvalues of each of a number of pixels from one or more baseline IRimages. For example, the AI model can compare a number of pixels of acaptured IR image to a number of corresponding pixels of a baseline IRimage. The number of pixels of the captured IR image can correspond tothe number of pixels of the baseline IR image if the number of pixels ofthe captured image and the number of pixels of the baseline IR image arefrom the same particular area of a face, for example. If the number ofpixels of the captured IR image are within a particular color valuerange of the number of pixels of the baseline image then biometric dataof a user (e.g., a heart rate, temperature, calorie burn rate, physicalstate, and/or emotional state) may be the same or similar to thebiometric data identified with the baseline IR image.

In some examples, biometric data of a user in a captured IR image can bedetermined by extrapolating biometric data of a baseline IR image. Forexample, a baseline IR image can be associated with a temperature. Thetemperature associated with the captured IR image can be determined bycomparing the captured IR image to the baseline IR image to determine adifference value and using the difference value and the temperatureassociated with the baseline IR image to calculate the temperatureassociated with the captured IR image. The user interface 314 can begenerated by the apparatus 310. The user interface 314 can be agraphical user interface (GUI) that can provide and/or receiveinformation to and/or from the user of the apparatus 310. The userinterface 314 can be shown on a display of the apparatus 310.

In a number of embodiments, the user interface 314 can be generated inresponse to an input from a user. A user input to generate the userinterface 314 can include powering on the apparatus 310 and/or selectingan application, for example.

Once the user interface 314 is generated on the apparatus 310, the userinterface 314 can display a video. In some examples, the video can be avideo game, a movie, an instructional video, or a fitness video. In anumber of embodiments, AI operations can be performed on the biometricdata using an AI accelerator 324 and the video can be modified inresponse to the output of the AI operation.

The video can be modified in response to biometric data of the user. Forexample, the AI accelerator 324 can output a command to slow down, speedup, and/or shutoff the video in response to performing an AI operationon the biometric data of the user. In a number of embodiments, the videocan be slowed down or sped up in response to the determined biometricdata of the user being outside of a particular range. The particularrange can be a healthy heartrate range, for example, if the user'sheartrate is below the particular range the video can be sped up and ifthe user's heartrate is above a particular range the video can be sloweddown. An IR image can capture the size of a vein and over a number of IRimages track the vein getting larger and smaller to determine theheartrate of the user.

The AI accelerator 324 could determine that the user is getting bored ofa video game by analyzing the one or more captured IR images and speedup the video game. The AI accelerator 324 could determine that the userwas getting bored by quantifying the rate at which the user looks awayfrom the user interface 314. For example, the AI accelerator 324 candetermine, using a first number of IR images over a first period oftime, that the user looks away from the user interface 314 a firstnumber of times and determine, using a second number of IR images over asecond period of time, that the user looks away from the user interface314 a second number of times. If the second number of times the userlooks away from the user interface 314 is greater than the first numberof times, the AI accelerator 324 can output a command to speed up thegame to try to reengage the user with the video game.

In some examples, the story, quest, and/or goal of the video can bechanged in response to the biometric data of the user. For example, theprocessing resource 312 can determine that the user has reached theirheartrate goal by calculating the user's heartrate using a number of IRimages over a period of time. In response to the user meeting theirheartrate goal, the AI accelerator 324 can create a new fitness goal forthe workout video.

The user interface 314 can also display messages. Messages can bedisplayed in response to outputs of an AI operation. For example, the AIaccelerator 324 can determine that the user's heart rate is irregular,and the user is in need of medical attention. In response to the AIoperation determining the user is in need of medical attention, amessage that the user is in need of medical attention can be displayedon the user interface 314.

The apparatus 310 can include an acoustic sensor 316. The acousticsensor 316 can detect sounds produced by a user. Detected sounds caninclude, but are not limited to, speaking, breathing, and/or footsteps,for example. The language, volume, and/or pitch of the sound captured bythe acoustic sensor 316 can be analyzed by the AI accelerator 324. In anumber of embodiments, AI operations can be performed on the sound datausing the AI accelerator 324. For example, the AI accelerator 324 candetermine that the user is exhausted by performing an AI operation onthe sound data. The sound data can include a recording of the breathingof the user over a period of time. In response to the AI accelerator 324determining that the user is breathing faster over the period of time,the AI accelerator 324 can output a command to slow down the videoand/or change the goal of the video, for example.

A movement of the user can be detected using the proximity sensor 320.An AI operation can be performed on the data collected by the proximitysensor 320 from the user's movement. The AI accelerator 324 candetermine a speed of the user's movement, the force of the user'smovement, and/or the direction of the user's movement. In some examples,the AI accelerator 324 can determine an outcome of a story, quest,and/or goal based on the determined speed, the determined force, and/orthe determined direction of the user's movement. For example, a user'sswing may have been in the right direction and had enough force to sinka putt and move the user on to a new hole in a golf video game.

A speaker 328 can be included in apparatus 310. The speaker 328 canproduce a sound and/or sounds based on an output of an AI operation. Forexample, the AI accelerator 324 can perform an AI operation on biometricdata of the user and determine a physical and/or an emotional state ofthe user. The biometric data can include an IR image of the user with aslouched posture and/or a frowning facial expression. Based on the IRimage, the AI accelerator 324 can determine that the user is sad. Inresponse to the AI accelerator 324 determining that the user is sad, thespeaker 328 can play an upbeat song and/or play the user's favoritesong, for example.

The apparatus 310 can include a light 329. Similar, to the speaker 328,the light 329 can emit a type of light based on an output of the AIoperation. For example, the AI accelerator 324 can perform an AIoperation on biometric data of the user and determine a physical and/oran emotional state of the user. The biometric data can include a numberof IR images with the user's eyes closed. Based on the number of IRimages, the AI accelerator 324 can determine that the user is sleeping.In response to the AI accelerator 324 determining that the user issleeping, the light 329 can emit a soft night light glow.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 430 for determining biometric dataof a user in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. At block 432, the method 430 can include projecting a numberof IR dots on a user using a dot projector and an array of IRilluminators.

The IR illuminator can emit IR light. In some examples, the IRilluminator can emit varying intensities of IR light. The dot projectorcan utilize the IR light emitted by the IR illuminator to project thenumber of dots on the user and/or a number of users. The dot projectorcan project the number of dots in varying sizes. In some examples, thedot projector can change the number of dots projected.

At block 434, the method 430 can include capturing an IR image of thenumber of IR dots using an IR camera. The IR camera can capture the IRlight emitted by the IR illuminator. The IR image can be a heat zoneimage, for example.

At block 436, the method 430 can include comparing a number of pixels ofthe captured IR image to a number of corresponding pixels of a baselineIR image using a processing resource. In some examples, one or morecaptured IR images can be compared to one or more baseline IR images.The one or more captured IR images and/or the one or more baseline IRimage can be from the IR camera and/or memory.

At block 438, the method 430 can include determining biometric data ofthe user at least partially based on comparing the captured IR image tothe baseline IR image using the processing resource. In a number ofembodiments, the biometric data can be used when playing video games,watching a movie, watching instructional videos, and/or fitness videos.For example, a video game, a movie, an instructional video, and/or afitness video can be modified in response to biometric data.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anarrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coveradaptations or variations of one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications inwhich the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope ofone or more embodiments of the present disclosure should be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, some features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the presentdisclosure have to use more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus,the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: projecting a number ofinfrared (IR) dots on a user using a dot projector and an array of IRilluminators; capturing an IR image of the number of IR dots using an IRcamera; comparing a number of pixels of the captured IR image to anumber of corresponding pixels of a baseline IR image using a processingresource; and determining an emotional state of the user at leastpartially based on comparing the captured IR image to the baseline IRimage using the processing resource.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining the emotional state of the user at leastpartially based on a posture of the user in the captured IR image. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the emotionalstate of the user is sad in response to the captured IR image includingthe user with a slouched posture.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining the emotional state of the user at leastpartially based on a facial expression of the user.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising determining the emotional state of the useris sad in response to the captured IR image including the user with afrowning facial expression.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining the emotional state of the user at least partially based ona gesture of the user in the captured IR image.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising comparing a color value range of the number ofpixels of the captured IR image to a color value range of the number ofcorresponding pixels of the baseline IR image using the processingresource.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining theemotional state of the user in response to the color value range of thenumber of pixels of the captured IR image being within the color valuerange of the number of corresponding pixels of the baseline IR imageusing the processing resource.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising determining the emotional state of the user is angry inresponse to the baseline IR image being of an angry person.
 10. Anapparatus, comprising: an array of infrared (IR) illuminators configuredto produce an IR light; a dot projector configured to project a numberof IR dots on a user using the IR light produced by the array of IRilluminators; an IR camera configured to capture an IR image of thenumber of IR dots; and a processing resource configured to: compare anumber of pixels of the captured IR image to a number of correspondingpixels of a number of baseline IR images; and determine an emotionalstate of the user at least partially based on comparing the number ofpixels of the captured IR image to the number of corresponding pixels ofthe number of baseline IR images.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising a visible light camera configured to capture a visible lightimage of the user.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the visiblelight image of the user includes a facial expression of the user. 13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processing resource is furtherconfigured to determine the emotional state of the user based on thefacial expression of the user in the visible light image.
 14. Anapparatus, comprising: an array of infrared (IR) illuminators configuredto produce an IR light; a dot projector configured to project a numberof IR dots on a user using the IR light produced by the array of IRilluminators; an IR camera configured to capture an IR image of thenumber of IR dots; and a processing resource configured to: input datafrom the captured IR image into an AI model; and determine the emotionalstate of the user at least partially based on an output of the AI model.15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an artificialintelligence (AI) accelerator configured to perform an AI operationusing the AI model.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein theprocessing resource is configured to train the AI model on a number ofemotional states using a number of baseline IR images.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the processing resource is configured to train theAI model with a baseline IR image identified as a person with an angryemotional state.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the baseline IRimage of the angry person includes a number of pixels within a colorvalue range.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising aspeaker, wherein the speaker is configured to play a song in response todetermining the emotional state of the user.
 20. The apparatus of claim14, further comprising a light, wherein the light is configured to emita type of light in response to determining the emotional state of theuser.